Russia has redeployed troops away from Bakhmut, likely weakening its defenses, the UK MOD said.
Ukrainian troops are within 5 miles of the city, the Ministry of Defence added.
It's part of Ukraine's attempts to draw troops away from the main axis of the war, one expert said.
AdvertisementAdvertisementUkraine breached a strategic defensive line and recaptured two villages, with Russian forces "likely battle-weary from the recent efforts to hold Klishchiivka and Andriivka," the ISW said.
It added that Russian forces "will likely struggle to replenish their combat strength and defend against any further Ukrainian offensive activity."
Persons:
Alex Kokcharov, Kokcharov
Organizations:
MOD, Ministry of Defence, Service, UK Ministry of Defence, Institute for, P Global Market Intelligence
Locations:
Russia, Bakhmut, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Klishchiivka, Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia, Russian, Dnipro, Ukrainian